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Abstract:

The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat, in particular to a rear
seat for rear rows of seats of motor vehicles. Furthermore, the invention
relates to a method for shifting a first and second component (1, 6)
relative to a base part (4), the first and the second component being
connected to each other by a first rotational means (GL) and the second
component and the base part being connected to each other by a second
rotational means (GU).

Claims:

1. A method for shifting a first and a second component relative to a
base part, wherein the first and the second component are in each case
connected to each other by a first rotational means and the second
component and the base part are in each case connected to each other by a
second rotational means, characterized in that the first and second
rotational means are automatically locked and unlocked depending on at
least one position of the first component relative to the second
component and/or of the second component relative to the base part.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in a first
position the first component is shifted, by an angle (α), relative
to the second component and the second component remains locked in a
first position relative to the base part.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that when rotating
the first component beyond a the specific angle (α), the second
rotational means is automatically unlocked and/or the first component is
brought into contact with a stop provided on the second component.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that with a
relative movement between the second component and the base part, a
locking means of the first component is automatically brought into a
lockable position.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that a locking
means of the second component is also automatically brought into a
lockable second position.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that both the first
and the second components are automatically locked in their respective
positions after the first component has reached its end position.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locking
takes place by a latching means.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the components
are unlocked in a manual or motorized manner.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the locking of
the first component takes place automatically with a movement of the
second component and the base part relative to one another.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that with a
movement of the first component and the second component relative to one
another, and/or with a movement of the second component relative to the
base part, the first component is automatically shortened or lengthened.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a seatback is
provided as the first component and a seat part of a vehicle seat is
provided as the base part.

12. A vehicle seat comprising a seatback, an intermediate part and a base
part, wherein the seatback and the intermediate part are connected to
each other by a first rotational means and the intermediate part and the
base part are connected to each other by a second rotational means, which
are able to be locked in at least one position by a locking means,
characterized in that the locking means are operatively connected by a
connecting means so that with a relative movement between the seatback
and the intermediate part, and/or the intermediate part and the base
part, such that at least one locking means is automatically locked and
unlocked.

13. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the
connecting means are moved in a purely translatory manner.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that in a first
position the seat back is shifted, by an angle (α), relative to the
intermediate part and the intermediate part remains locked in a first
position relative to the base part.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that when
rotating the seat back beyond the specific angle (α), the second
rotational means is automatically unlocked and/or the seat back is
brought into contact with a stop provided on the intermediate part.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that with a
relative movement between the intermediate part and the base part, a
locking means of the seat back is automatically brought into a lockable
position.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that a locking
means of the intermediate part is also automatically brought into a
lockable second position.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that both the
seat back and the intermediate component are automatically locked in
their respective positions after the seat back has reached its end
position.

19. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the locking
takes place by a latching means.

20. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the locking
means of the second component is also automatically brought into a
lockable second position at the same time as the locking means of the
first component is brought into a lockable position.

Description:

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat, in particular a rear
seat for rear seat rows of motor vehicles. The invention further relates
to a method for shifting a first and a second component relative to a
base part, wherein the first and the second component are in each case
connected to each other by a first rotational means and the second
component and the base part are in each case connected to each other by a
second rotational means.

[0002] Motor vehicle seats which are designed to be folded to obtain
additional storage space are currently available on the market in many
designs.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose a method for folding down
a seatback from the use position to the stowed position and a novel,
foldable vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat is of simple design and
may be operated without substantial prior knowledge on the part of the
user and has a smaller space requirement in the folded up state.

[0004] The object is achieved by a method for shifting a first and a
second component relative to a base part, wherein the first and the
second component are in each case connected to each other by a first
rotational means and the second component and the base part are in each
case connected to each other by a second rotational means, wherein the
first and second rotational means are automatically locked and unlocked
depending on at least one position of the first component relative to the
second component and/or the second component relative to the base part.

[0005] The method according to the invention relates, for example, to
shifting a seatback, the first component, relative to a seat part, the
base part, from a use position, in which the seatback is provided
substantially perpendicular to the seat part, preferably via a so-called
easy entry position known to the person skilled in the art, to a stowed
position in which the seatback is provided substantially parallel to the
seat part.

[0006] Between the first component, for example the seatback, and the base
part, for example the seat part, a second component is provided which is
movably, in particular rotatably, connected both to the first component
and to the base part. To this end, first and second rotational means, in
particular pivot pins, are provided which are preferably arranged
parallel to one another.

[0007] According to the invention, it is now provided that the first and
the second rotational means are automatically locked and unlocked
depending on at least one position of the first component relative to the
second component and/or of the second component relative to the base
part. As a result, by simple rotation of the seatback the, user is able
to transfer the seat from the use position into the stowed position,
without any other actions, such as for example pushing buttons, pulling
levers or the like being necessary.

[0008] Preferably, the first component, for example the seatback, may be
shifted, in particular rotated, by an angle relative to the second
component, wherein the second component remains locked in a first
position relative to the base part, for example the seat part. This
function is important, in particular, for comfort adjustment. The pitch
angle of the seatback may be adjusted about its vertical position without
the locking between the second component and the seat part being
released.

[0009] When rotating the first component, for example the seatback, beyond
a specific angle, the second rotational means is automatically unlocked
and/or the first component is brought into contact with a stop provided
on the second component. This function permits, for example, the seatback
to be transferred into an easy entry position.

[0010] Preferably, with a relative movement, in particular a further
relative movement, between the second component and the base part, a
locking means of the first component is automatically brought into a
lockable position, i.e. the locking means could lock the first component
relative to the second component, but has not yet locked it.

[0011] Preferably, a locking means of the second component is also
automatically brought into a lockable second position relative to the
base part, preferably at the same time as the locking means of the first
component, i.e. said locking means could lock the second component
relative to the base part, but has not yet locked it.

[0012] Preferably, both components are automatically locked in their
respective positions after the component has reached its end position.
This position is, for example, the stowed position of the seatback
parallel to the seat part.

[0013] Preferably, the locking takes place by a latching means, in
particular a latching pawl. Preferably, the second component, in
particular after it has been brought into its second position, for
example the stowed position of the seatback, has to be unlocked in a
manual or motorized manner.

[0014] Preferably, the unlocking of the first component takes place
automatically with the movement of the component and the base part
relative to one another.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a movement
of the first component and the second component relative to one another
and/or with a movement of the second component relative to the base part,
the first component is automatically shortened or lengthened.

[0016] Preferably, the first component is the seatback and/or the base
part is the seat part of a vehicle seat.

[0017] A further subject of the present invention is a vehicle seat
comprising a seatback, an intermediate part and a base part, wherein the
seatback and the intermediate part are in each case connected to each
other by a first rotational means and the intermediate part and the base
part are in each case connected to each other by a second rotational
means, which in each case are able to be locked in at least one position
by a locking means, wherein the locking means are operatively connected
by a means so that with a relative movement between the seatback and the
intermediate part, and/or the intermediate part and the base part, at
least one locking means is automatically locked and unlocked.
Particularly preferably, said means are moved in a purely translatory
manner.

[0018] The embodiments set forth of the method according to the invention
apply equally to the vehicle seat according to the invention and vice
versa.

[0019] Preferably, the vehicle seat comprises an upper fitting which may
be pivoted about an upper horizontal pivot pin, to which the seatback is
generally connected and which may be releasably locked via an upper
locking mechanism. The vehicle seat further comprises a second component,
an intermediate part, which is preferably articulated pivotably about a
lower horizontal axis on a lower fitting and preferably may be releasably
locked via a lower locking mechanism. The lower fitting is generally
connected to a seat part.

[0020] The kinematic system of said vehicle seat is preferably designed
such that [0021] the upper pivot pin is unlocked and the lower pivot pin
is locked when the seatback is in a use position, i.e. in a position
which is advantageous for the vehicle occupants for traveling; [0022] the
lower pivot pin is automatically unlocked as soon as the seatback reaches
a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the vertical when folded
forward; [0023] the folding forward movement of the seatback is limited
by first stop means, in particular in the stop position of the seatback
corresponding to the predetermined angle of inclination; [0024] after the
unlocking of the lower pivot pin, with continued movement of the upper
fitting, the movement of the upper fitting is transmitted to the
intermediate part, the movement of the intermediate part is limited by a
second stop means and, as a result, the intermediate part is stopped in a
defined functional position and/or [0025] the upper and the lower pivot
pin are in each case only locked when the vehicle seat according to the
invention is adjusted into an end position in which the seatback is
arranged in a flat position over the seat part;--the upper and the lower
pivot pin in the end position of the seat only being able to be unlocked
by a specific actuation of any kind on the part of a user acting on the
kinematic system.

[0026] The inventions are explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS.
1-20. Said explanations are merely provided by way of example and do not
limit the general idea of the invention. The explanations apply equally
to both subjects of the invention.

[0027] In the drawings:

[0028]FIG. 1 shows components of the kinematic system of the vehicle seat
designed according to the invention, in a schematic exploded view;

[0029]FIG. 2 shows a basic structure of the vehicle seat in a first
position, the use position, in a schematic sectional view;

[0030]FIG. 3 shows a vehicle seat in a seat use position corresponding to
the use position of the basic structure shown in FIG. 2, in a very
schematic view;

[0048]FIG. 1 shows components of the kinematic system K of the vehicle
seat designed according to the invention, in a schematic exploded view.
The kinematic system K comprises a backrest pivoting joint GL for
rotating the backrest fitting 10 which rotates together with the seatback
about an upper pivot pin.

[0049] The backrest pivoting joint GL is mechanically coupled to a pull
arm 2 so that a rotational movement of the backrest pivot joint GL may be
transmitted to the pull arm 2.

[0050] The kinematic system K further comprises a release member 3 which
is operatively connected via the pull arm 2 to the backrest pivoting
joint GL.

[0051] A lower pivoting joint GU is connected fixedly in terms of rotation
to a lower fitting 40 which is fixed relative to the vehicle body, on
which a seat part 4, shown for example in FIG. 3, is mounted.

[0052] The kinematic system K further comprises a lower locking unit VU
for the releasable locking Of the lower pivoting joint GU. The locking
unit VU comprises, in turn, a release arm 30, a locking cam 31 and a
locking claw 32. By means of an upper locking unit VL, the fitting 10 and
thus the seatback can be fixed relative to the intermediate part.

[0053] A sliding strut 5 is provided with a guide slot which serves for
guiding the release arm 30.

[0054]FIG. 2 shows in a schematic sectional view the basic structure B of
the vehicle seat F in a use position which is advantageous for the
vehicle occupants for traveling. The basic structure B comprises the
backrest fitting 10 which is connected in an articulated manner to an
intermediate part 6 via the backrest pivoting joint GL. The intermediate
part 6 is articulated on the lower fitting 40 in a rotatable manner about
a lower pivot pin via the lower pivoting joint GU.

[0055] The basic structure B comprises an upper locking device for the
releasable locking of the backrest pivoting joint GL and a lower locking
device V for the releasable locking of the lower pivoting joint GU.

[0056] The backrest pivoting joint GL is unlocked in this use position of
the basic structure B which is advantageous for a vehicle occupant when
traveling, whilst the lower pivoting joint GU is locked. As a result, for
comfort adjustment the seatback may be altered in its angle of
inclination α.

[0057] A control slot 20 in the pull arm 2 serves for the movable guidance
of the release member and thus permits ultimately the pivoting of the
backrest fitting 10 within a specific pivoting range for the comfort
adjustment of the seatback 1 without any effect on the upper locking
device or on the lower locking device V during this comfort adjustment.
The locking cam 31 bears against a stop lug 33 of the locking claw 32 and
holds the locking claw 32 in a position in which a first toothed portion
34 provided on the locking claw cooperates with a second toothed portion
35 operatively connected to the lower pivoting joint GU, in order
ultimately to lock the lower pivoting joint GU in this manner.

[0058]FIG. 3 shows in a very schematic view a vehicle seat F in a use
position of the seat, which corresponds to the use position of the basic
structure B shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle seat F comprises a seat part 4
and the seatback 1 connected via the intermediate part 6 to the seat part
4, which rotates with the backrest fitting 10.

[0059]FIG. 4 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 2, with the backrest
fitting 10 slightly folded forward by the angle of inclination α
relative to FIG. 2. The backrest pivoting joint GL is unlocked, as
before, whilst the lower pivoting joint GU is still locked.

[0060]FIG. 5 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F in a seat
position which corresponds to the position of the basic structure B shown
in FIG. 4.

[0062]FIG. 7 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F' in a seat
position which corresponds to the position of the basic structure B shown
in FIG. 6.

[0063]FIG. 8 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 6, with the backrest
fitting 10 folded even further forward (even greater angle of inclination
α). From this position of the backrest fitting 10 the pull arm 2
operatively connected to the backrest pivoting joint GL acts on the
release member, which in turn forces a pin provided on the release arm 30
into the guide slot of the sliding strut. As a result, the release arm 30
begins to act on the lower locking device V such that the locking cam 31
penetrates a locking recess 36 provided on the locking claw 32, whereupon
the locking claw 32 is able to bend back to the rear, away from the lower
pivoting joint GU, and thus the first toothed portion 34 begins to move
away from the effective region of the second toothed portion 35, in order
to transfer the lower pivoting joint GU from the locked state into the
unlocked state.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows the vehicle seat F in a seat position corresponding to
a position of the basic structure B shown in FIG. 8, in a very schematic
view.

[0065]FIG. 10 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 8 with the backrest
fitting 10 folded forward even further (even greater angle of inclination
α). The locking cam 31 has penetrated even deeper into the locking
recess 36, whereby the locking claw 32 has been able to bend back even
further to the rear.

[0066]FIG. 11 shows the vehicle seat F in a seat division corresponding
to the position of the basic structure B shown in FIG. 10, in a very
schematic view.

[0067]FIG. 12 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 10 with the backrest
fitting 10 folded forward even further (even greater angle of inclination
α). The locking cam 31 has now fully penetrated the locking recess
36, so that the locking claw 32 has been able to bend back sufficiently
far to the rear that the first toothed portion 34 and the second toothed
portion 35 are now out of engagement with one another and thus the lower
pivoting joint GU is unlocked. The backrest pivoting joint GL is still
held by a slider in the unlocked state, but the backrest fitting 10 is
now in a ready-to-lock position. After unlocking the lower pivoting joint
GU, the intermediate part 6 rotates with the backrest fitting 10 about
the lower pivot pin.

[0068]FIG. 13 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F in a seat
position which corresponds to the position of the basic structure B shown
in FIG. 12.

[0069]FIG. 14 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 12 with the backrest
fitting 10 folded forward even further (even greater angle of inclination
α). The lower pivoting joint GU initially still remains in the
unlocked state, until it is transferred with continued movement of the
backrest into a second locked position (alteration of the angle β).
Before reaching this second locked position, however, firstly the lower
locking device V is brought into a ready-to-lock position, initially as a
result of the movement of the backrest, and secondly the rotation of the
intermediate part 6 is limited about the lower pivot pin by a second
stop. In this case, the kinematic system K is designed so that the
backrest pivoting joint GL and the lower pivoting joint GU are only
automatically locked by the locking devices, which are assigned in each
case thereto, after reaching the second stop. The slider coupled to the
relative movement of the lower fitting 40 relative to the intermediate
part is moved back, whereupon the backrest pivoting joint GL begins to
rotate into a locked position. The backrest fitting 10 is now in abutment
with a first stop so that a further forward movement of the backrest
fitting 10 and thus of the seatback 1 is blocked.

[0070]FIG. 15 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F in a seat
position which corresponds to the position of the basic structure B shown
in FIG. 14.

[0071]FIG. 16 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 14 with the backrest
fitting 10 folded forward even further (even greater angle of inclination
β). The slider has been moved back even further and the backrest
pivoting joint GL rotates again into its locked position.

[0072]FIG. 17 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F in a seat
division corresponding to the position of the basic structure B shown in
FIG. 16.

[0073]FIG. 18 shows the basic structure B of FIG. 16 with the backrest
fitting 10 folded further forward into the horizontal end position. The
backrest pivoting joint GL and the lower pivoting joint GU are now
latched in each case in a locked position.

[0074] In order to release the locking of the backrest pivoting joint GL
and the lower pivoting joint GU in this end position of the vehicle seat
F, it is necessary for the user to release, for example manually or via
any actuator, the locking of the lower pivoting joint GU, after which the
seat may be adjusted again into the initial position i.e. into the use
position. The upper pivoting joint GL is automatically unlocked with the
rearward movement of the seatback.

[0075] FIG. 19 shows in a very schematic view the vehicle seat F in an end
seat position which corresponds to the end position of the basic
structure shown in FIG. 18. The seatback 1 which is locked in position is
now arranged approximately horizontally over the seat part 4. The front
face of the seatback 1 and the upper face of the seat part 4 face one
another.

[0077] A preferred or an additional separate subject of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 20, in which the seatback 1 when folded
forward from the use position into the stowed position is shortened,
and/or in reverse, lengthened. By moving the seatback 1 forward, in
particular by a rotation of the second component 6 about the lower
pivoting joint GU, a force transmission means 8, in this case a toothed
belt, is driven which directly or indirectly transmits the force or the
torque to a gear mechanism 9, in this case a bevel gear mechanism, which
drives the longitudinal adjustment of the seatback 1.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment set forth, according to FIGS. 1-20,
only mechanical components are used in the kinematic system. However, it
is clear to the person skilled in the art that the essential functions of
the invention discussed above may naturally be implemented, for example,
by other devices, such as for example by a mechatronic system.